So i read somewhere around here that when the stock hatch struts wear out and the door constantly cracks you in the noodle you can swap out the xj struts with 96-00 explorer hatch struts. I was at the pick and pull over the weekend and snagged a pair for 8 bucks but they mount different than the stock xj ones. On my 2000 it has a ball and socket mount on the bottom and up top like a tiny little heim joint with a pin running through it attached to a bracket thats bolted into the rear hatch. On the explorer strut it is has the ball and socket on both top and bottom. Am i missing something here? Anyone every done this before and have to swap out the ends from your stock struts to the explorer struts? Thanks in advance

I have never tried this swap, I decided just to go to my local parts store and spend 50 bucks on a set with a 2 year warranty, I live in Arizona and it seems that as soon as it starts to get hot outside the gas evaporates in them somehow and they become week. I end up getting a free set under the warranty every summer. hehe

I think you should be able to screw the vehicle specific connectors off of the pistons if you put them in a vice grip and do some handy word with some channel locks.

After a year or two of the pain, suffering and humillation from the frequent head injuries, broken fingers and bringing shame onto your family by being "that guy" in the parking lot of Home Depot you'll break down too just like I did and get the new ones no matter what they cost. I got the Strongarm ones from Advance Auto and now I have to push the trunk down or it won't close, so much nicer. You can find 15 -20% off coupons online which makes it an even better deal. You can do it, I know you can, stop the madness!!!!